The jeweler Arteau.
Esprit Joaillerie is pleased to meet Stéphane Marteau, jeweler and founder of the Maison Arteau Joaillier. This lover of beautiful stones lets him guide them in offering us unique pieces. For him, jewelry is an art in which each work must remain unique.
What is a beautiful jewel?
It is art, it is an expression. When creating a jewel, it is important not to forget to express something. Sometimes, we are moved by a beautiful piece of jewelry; no matter what material is used, the jewelry must convey emotion.
What is your favorite stone?
It’s very difficult to say, there are periods when I discover certain stones, others that I rediscover. I’m drawn to spinels and especially garnets. More rarely, the «Malaya» garnet, which is found in Tanzania, is between pyrope and spessartite. If I’m the one with the idea, I might discover new materials. These are natural stones, magnificent. Nothing heated or treated!
What is your most technical achievement?
The one you're most proud of?
It is almost always the last piece I make. I have a very slow creation process. I look at the stones; they enlighten me, the project slowly takes shape in my head so that the final result is the most beautiful possible. And once the jewel is created, I don’t want to take it off; it’s a creative journey that makes me proud. Right now I’m creating a tiare that can be transformed into a necklace for a client; it’s a complex, very technical creation. I can’t wait to see it finished.
Ethiopian Opal, Diamonds, Gold, Titanium
What inspires you with precious stones?
Whatever the material, the stones exude an emotion that resonates in my mind and I then imagine a jewel. The classic stones speak to me little. I seek rarity; that’s what makes the difference.
What gave you this passion for stones?
Sapphire Star Cabochons from Burma, Grey Spinels from Burma, Moonstones from Burma, Diamonds, Gold
I have always been into jewelry because my father was in the business and had his own workshop.
Life brought me to meet Alexandre Reza, and those moments were fabulous.
He owned boxes filled with extraordinary stones: Burmese rubies, Kashmir sapphires…
Alexandre Reza gave me the responsibility of his stones, of cutting them and valuing them.
Then our lives separated and I started my own stone trading company.
Chinese coral, Spessartite garnets, Diamonds, Gold, Copper
What place inspires you?
I’m used to moving around on the mines.
For example, Ceylan is an extraordinary place because all the stones pass through it.
There is also the Arusha region in Tanzania, which is in full development and will surprise us.,
There are many beautiful stones to discover.
A book you haven’t forgotten?
«Camus’s »The Stranger”; I read it from time to time.
There are passages that remain with me.
A music you listen to?
I love all kinds of music and I work in music.
I listen to everything! I consume a lot of it and it’s often fleeting.
A jeweler you love ?
JAR, Hemmerle, Viren Baghat and James from Givenchy.
Malayan Garnets, Spinels, Sapphires, Zircons, Diamonds, Gold, Silver
Malayan Garnets, Spinels, Sapphires, Zircons, Diamonds, Gold, Silver
A little anecdote?
That of a sapphire padparadsha. It was in 1980, I saw an extraordinary sapphire padparadsha in a shop; a wonder on an art deco ring. I bought this ring and immediately sold it to a major collector. It was a stone with a unique color; I had never seen such intensity before.
What can I wish you?
The same success as the great creators I admire and, above all, to please me in my creations.
Dear Stéphane, we are eagerly awaiting your next creations.
Arteau Jeweller
10 Place Vendôme 75001 Paris
33 (0)1 46 84 09 91
